Message for bike boys

Yesterday was a magic day. It was wonderful to share the spontaneous meal in the shade and have lots of laughs. Unfortunately, one of you left your bike helmet and I'm wondering what you want me to do with it. Perhaps if you give me the address in Ponteveda I could send it for when you go there after Santiago. Have fun, stay safe. Thanks, you made an old woman's day - lunch with five gorgeous Italian and Spanish men. Love love

Ieri è stata una giornata magica. E 'stato meraviglioso per condividere il pasto spontanea in ombra e hanno un sacco di risate. Purtroppo, uno di voi ha lasciato il casco moto e mi chiedo che cosa vuoi che io faccia con esso. Forse, se mi dai l'indirizzo in Ponteveda potrei inviarlo per quando ci andate dopo Santiago. Buon divertimento, stare al sicuro. Grazie, hai fatto il giorno di una vecchia - pranzo con cinque splendidi uomini italiani e spagnoli. amore amore

Ideas for New Pilgrims

It's fiesta time of the year. The fiesta of St Isobel in Portomarin was last week. 

It seems from my experiences in Vilacha lately that some new pilgrims starting in Sarria need some ideas for being a good, considerate pilgrim. I was woken at 5am by two pilgrims walking through Vilacha talking loudly and the clacking of the walking sticks on the concrete path. 

1. Perhaps poles are not necessary in villages in early morning when the path is easy.

2. It is considerate to lower your voice in the early morning walking through villages as many have their windows open in summer. 

3. The walk between Sarria and Portomarin is one of the most scenic and beautiful sections of the Way, so please slow down and enjoy, focusing more on enjoying the journey than getting somewhere. 

4. Pilgrims walk for many different reasons and that is good, but to my mind one will get the maximum from your pilgrimage by engaging all the senses. With this in mind will you really experience the way if you are wired for sound or talking on the phone for long periods? Often I see villager trying to say Hola, or buenos dias and get no response as they haven't been heard. 

5. Do stop and revive at the donativo rest stop. There are maps on the table and a stamp. 

6. If you wish to walk further than Portomarin and don't have time to go into the town you can go left at the roundabout after you cross the rio mino and left again at a second bridge, then you will see the arrows for the way to Gonzar.

7. It is getting very busy so you may need to ring and book in private albergues in order to relax and enjoy your walk, knowing you have a bed waiting for you. 

8. There are always options to consider. For example if you are beginning to have problems with your feet or knees, one option is to lighten your load and have your bag sent on. This is quite cheap, 3-5 euros from Portomarin. The second option is if you don't want to walk all the way to Palais de Rei from Portomarin but there is no accommodation left before, walk as far as you can and then get a taxi to Palais. Taxis are about a euro a kilometre. If you can afford it and want to walk the whole way, then get a taxi back in the morning to where you stopped yesterday.

9. Do stop and smell the roses or in this case notice the wildflowers. The ones below are growing on the stone walls at the moment.

10. Lastly learn to go to the toilet in the fields as there won't be a toilet for you in small villages like Vilacha, because our septics are small holes in the rock that need to be pumped out often and cannot cope with hundreds of pilgrims. If you use toilet paper please, either burn it or carry it with you in a plastic or paper bag. I spend a couple of hours every two weeks collecting paper left by pilgrims. It is the etiquette of bush walkers that pilgrims must learn - take only photos, leave only footprints.

ENJOY YOUR PILGRIMAGE IT WILL BE A SPECIAL TIME IN YOUR LIFE ONLY IF YOU OPEN YOUR MIND AND MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCES.

Gratitude Notes

I absolutely love the gratitude notes that appear on the pilgrim table, written on scraps of paper, it doesn't matter, they make me feel very appreciated and make my efforts worthwhile. 

I have added wine to the table, just vino tinto, and some glasses, help yourself as with all else and pay what you can afford. Relax, enjoy the rest, and then continue walking feeling refreshed. 

Me encantan las notas de agradecimiento que aparecen en la tabla de peregrino, escrito en trozos de papel, no importa, me hacen sentir muy apreciado y hago mi esfuerzo vale la pena.


He añadido el vino a la mesa, sólo vino tinto y unas gafas, ayudarse a sí mismo al igual que con todo lo demás y pagar lo que puede pagar. Relajarse, disfrutar del descanso y luego continuar caminando sensación refrescante.

Kayaking on Rio Mino - Portomarin

Spent a few hours kayaking on the Mino River yesterday. To be thoroughly recommended even of an evening after a days walk would be great. The kayak hire is at an accommodation place called Santa Marina on the banks of the river at Portomarin and was very reasonably priced. They have cabins or camping and a restaurant supplied by their own productive vegie garden. I had a great day and got to thinking if pilgrims wanted a rest day before the final push to Santiago, they couldn't do better than Santa Marina. 
 

 

Pension/Albergue in Portomarin

I have had several requests for information about accommodation where there is a kitchen for pilgrims who want to prepare their own meals. This is often important for Asian pilgrims. With this in mind I had a look at Ultreia, which I had heard had a kitchen. At Ultreia I found a wonderful family run place with accommodation for all needs. An albergue with bunk style beds, plus rooms with either single beds or doubles at reasonable rates. The shared bathroom is central and the kitchen has all you need to prepare and cook food, plus a dining area to sit and share a meal. The atmosphere is friendly, happy and the people helpful. There is a lovely outdoor area to just sit and relax and prepare for tomorrows walk. Ultreia is two minutes walk from the central plaza. 

New look pilgrim rest stop

I painted an old door and with two easel supports I now have a bigger table for the coffee, fruit and pastries, leaving the other three small tables for pilgrims to use as they want. I am very easy going and really don't mind if pilgrims have their own food and just want to sit for while in the shade and rest and eat. 
Everyday I am sustained by pilgrim stories and conversations in english and spanglish. Inspired by a young German lad who was walking with his grandmother for her 70th birthday. They do about 10 kms a day and he carries their gear. Wow the generosity of youth. I don't despair of the younger generation at all. 
I continue to delight in providing free maps of Portomarin and chat about options for accomodation. It is so rewarding for me to be helping pilgrims on their journey in some small way. 

Pilgrims reap the benefits of donativo generosity

Peregrinos de hoy cosechan los beneficios de las donaciones de ayer. Como peregrinos vuelven más generosos también lo hace la variedad de aumento de provisiones. Me deleito en la empresa la concesión de pequeños kit kats para la energía y pequeños bares muesli. También he tomado a proporcionar tazas de cerámica de fabricación local pequeño para solo café. La pequeña área de peregrino se parecía más a un café todos los días. El café que usted tiene cuando usted no está teniendo un café.
Mis esfuerzos son recompensados ​​diario con muchos agradecimientos y gracias. Me parece a mi sorpresa que me sostiene por las gemas diarias de conversación con los peregrinos de todo el mundo. Me encanta mi vida aquí y la gente parece que quiere oír hablar de la ex peregrino que volvía a vivir y hacer un ir de él. Muchos caminan el camino y pensar en la compra de un recorrido por casas, que vemos en abundancia, y aquí hay alguien que lo hizo.

Today's pilgrims reap the benefits of yesterday's donations. As pilgrims become more generous so does the variety of provisions increase. I delight in now providing small kit kats for energy and small museli bars. I have also taken to providing small locally made ceramic cups for cafe solo. The little pilgrim area is looking more like a cafe everyday. The cafe you have when you're not having a cafe. 

My efforts are daily rewarded with many thank you's and gracias. I find to my surprise that I am sustained by daily gems of conversation with pilgrims from all around the world. I love my life here and people seem to want to hear about the ex pilgrim who came back to live and made a go of it. Many walk the camino and think of buying a run down casa, which we see in abundance, and here is someone who did it.